Dunaskin Mill is a campus-style student accommodation development located on the banks of the River Kelvin, built on the historic site of one of Glasgow’s largest flour mills, operational since the 1840s.

The project comprises four purpose-built accommodation blocks, where the amenity spaces are strategically positioned along an interconnecting pedestrian street. This design creates a vibrant culture of ‘see and be seen,’ fostering spontaneous social connections and community moments among students. The amenities offer a variety of multifunctional spaces including a gym, social lounges, a TV snug, and dedicated study areas, all designed to support diverse student lifestyles.

“Ensuring Dunaskin Mill became a desirable destination for students was essential and we were very aware the communal areas at the development would be key to this. The designers understood how to help shape our offer and the result is a product that is now highly sought after within the city.”

Drawing inspiration from the site’s rich industrial heritage, the visual identity integrates motifs of flour shakers and loaves of bread. The ceiling design features super-sized timber rafts modelled on the pattern of large flour sieves, translating industrial forms into warm, contemporary architectural elements.

While the amenity spaces appear as separate rooms within each building, they are in fact united by generous internal glazing and visual connections, creating a campus-wide architectural solution that encourages interaction and movement. The shared public space between buildings acts as the cohesive thread tying the development together, transforming what was once a bustling industrial site into a lively and interconnected student community.

As with many projects of this nature, budget pressures towards the end of construction required innovative and resourceful solutions, balancing cost-effective materials with design ingenuity to deliver spaces that feel purposeful and connected.